Maule Region

The VII Maule Region is located in Chile, some 50 km north-east of Concepcion and 180 km south of Santiago de Chile.

Geography and climate

In the north the region borders the Region VI ( Región del Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins ) and on the south by the Region VIII ( Región del Bío -Bío ). The region's capital is Talca.

The Region VII consists of four provinces:

• Cauquenes, capital Cauquenes
• Curico, Curico capital
• Linares, Linares capital
• Talca, Talca capital

Main cities / locations:

• Talca
• Curico
• Linares
• Cauquenes
• Constitución
• Parral

The most important river:

• Río Maule

Many smaller rivers flow through the region and often serve to generate electricity. There are river valleys, forests and vineyards. In the Andes, high mountains are around 4000 m, many of which are volcanoes. The most famous volcanoes are the Peteroa 4,125 m, 3,830 m Descabezado Grande and Chico Descabezado 3,750 m.

The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers. The average temperatures are at 14 to 15 ° C.

History

Talca was founded in 1692 by Governor General Tomás Marín de Poveda. On February 17, 1742 was given the name Villa San Agustín de Talca by Governor José Antonio Manso de Velasco. This was followed Curico 1743, Linares and Parral in 1794.

In Talca is also the house in which Bernardo O'Higgins on February 12, 1818 signed the proclamation of the independence of Chile. It is now a museum.

The Colonia Dignidad is Parral, a notorious settlement, was in the tortured after the 1973 coup in Chile.

Maule was severely hit by the earthquake on 27 February 2010.

Tourism

The Maule region offers especially for wine lovers many destinations. There are a number of thermal springs and small lakes. To the east of the Andes lie with ski areas.

To the east is the national reserve Radal Siete Tazas with Parque Inglés. Just south of it are the national reserve Altos de Lircay and Parque Vilches. In the far north on the Pacific is the national reserve Laguna Torca.

About 50 kilometers east of Talca in San Clemente (Chile) the pent Colbún Lake is 57 km ² and the Marine Protected Area de Protección Vilches.

Economy

The Maule is a great wine and fruit growing region. In Parral are great rice-growing areas. Forestry is also important, as well as the production of energy from hydroelectric power plants. In the area around Constitución are a number of mining sites, where mined, among other talc, quartz and sulfur.

Left

• Regional Government of Maule